We've all heard the importance of good air quality. Clearing your home's air of pollutants like carbon monoxide, particulate matter, ground-level ozone and sulfur oxides provides cleaner, safer air for breathing. In turn, it minimizes the risk of short- and long-term respiratory health complications.

But what steps can you take to improve your indoor air quality? Learn how to naturally improve air quality in your home with these foolproof tips!

How Do I Purify the Air in My House?

Whether cleaning your flooring and textiles or changing filters, you can significantly enhance the air you breathe. Explore seven simple methods to improve indoor air quality below.

1. Have Your Air Quality Tested

If you're aiming for better indoor air quality but aren't sure where to start, testing is an excellent first step. You can do this on your own by purchasing a test kit. However, professional guidance will likely provide more accurate and extensive insights. After testing your air quality, a specialist can help you identify changes that could benefit your household.

2. Try an Air Purifier

The name alone says it all — an air purifier is a portable device that removes unwanted pollutants or particles. It draws in contaminated air, filters out impurities, then delivers clean air back into the room. It repeats this cycle to increase indoor air quality over time.

Whether your space is quaint and modest or large and roomy, a high-quality air purifier can help weed out those pesky dust mites and allergens.

3. Bring in Some Plants

Plants do more than add bright pops of color to your space. You may be familiar with photosynthesis, where plants absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. They also undergo respiration by taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Between these processes, plants can absorb airborne molecules and improve ecological balance.

They can filter out contaminants like carbon dioxide, particulates, nitrates, ozone, carbonate and calcium. Since they're an affordable way to minimize pollutant levels and exposure, investing in a few indoor plants can be a strategy to upgrade your home's air and beautify any room. Some of the best houseplants for air purification are:

Aloe vera
Bamboo palm
Chrysanthemum
Fern
Gerbera daisy
Peace lily
Snake plant
Spider plant

4. Run a Humidifier

When you invest in a high-quality model and brand, a humidifier can provide better air quality and comfort. Humidifiers boost moisture levels in the air by accelerating natural evaporation.

These appliances can range from small, portable systems to whole-home units. Humidifiers' fans blow air through a damp filter, evaporating and vaporizing the water. Adding water vapor to the room will elevate humidity levels.

Besides improving your home's air quality, a humidifier can protect your skin from dry Canadian winters — which may translate to far fewer lotion and lip balm applications. You can keep winter weather outside, stay healthy and comfortable and reduce your heating bills.

5. Swap out Your Filters

With various responsibilities to manage each day, changing an air conditioning filter may not be at the forefront of every homeowner's mind. However, this task is one of the simplest and most effective ways to strengthen air quality.

Replace inexpensive one-inch filters every 30 days. A pleated filter can offer up to six months of protection, but remember to inspect it for excessive dirt or dust at least once a month. Trust us — your AC will thank you!

Likewise, you can spruce up your home's air quality by periodically changing your furnace filter. When this filter clogs with dust over time, it can move through your ducts and into various rooms of your home.

Set a reminder to check your filter monthly and swap it out when you spot excess grime buildup. On top of providing air quality benefits, a quick filter replacement can also increase your furnace's efficiency — a win-win!

6. Clean Frequently

While cleaning the house is often the last chore many of us want to do, never underestimate its power to improve air quality. Carpets and rugs trap dust, dirt, allergens and other particles. Cleaning and vacuuming them at least once a week can do wonders for your home's air.

If you have hardwood, tile or vinyl floors, vacuum or mop them weekly to eliminate dust and dirt. When dusting furniture and other hard surfaces, a damp cloth can help catch more particles. Regularly wash and change your sheets and bedding to remove dust mites and other fibers.

If possible, try to avoid the following products when cleaning your home:

Aerosol sprays
Chlorine bleach
Dishwashing liquid and detergent
Dry-cleaning chemicals
Floor and furniture polishes
Oven cleaners
Rug and upholstery cleaners
Sanitizers and disinfectants

Many of these products contain volatile organic compounds that can increase indoor air pollution. They can also pose health risks such as headaches and eye and throat irritation. Try to minimize the use of harsh chemicals in favor of natural materials.

7. Boost Ventilation

We may not always realize it, but various indoor sources contribute to pollution. For instance, gas stoves can release formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other contaminants into the air.

Ventilation, or letting outdoor air circulate indoors, is critical for better air quality. It helps mitigate or remove airborne pollutants, reducing contaminant levels. Here are some ways to improve your home's air circulation and ventilation:

Open doors and windows.
Use kitchen vents when cooking.
Turn on your furnace air blower.
Inspect and clean your air vents.
Run fans such as bathroom and stove exhaust fans.

A heat recovery ventilator or energy recovery ventilation system extracts stale air from a room, supplying it with fresh outdoor air. It eliminates odors and contaminants while boosting energy conservation and comfort. An HRV or ERV system allows you to maintain pure air when cooling and heating your home, all while keeping energy costs at bay.

Improve Air Quality in Your Home With Boss Mechanical

Investing in top-of-the-line products is an essential part of promoting indoor air quality. At Boss Mechanical, we carry various indoor air quality solutions, including whole-home air purifiers, HRV and ERV systems and humidifiers.

In addition to helping you choose the best system for your needs, our licensed air quality specialists will expertly install and maintain it. We offer fast, reliable and personable customer service, multiple financing options and high-quality indoor air solutions, guaranteeing satisfaction for every system we install.

Choose Boss Mechanical in the greater Toronto area for your professional indoor air quality needs. Browse our products or reach out with questions about finding the right one for you!

7 Tips to Improve Your Home's Air Quality